Japan snatch a late draw against the Netherlands in an entertaining Group F opener
Netherlands and Japan played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F opener at Dallas Stadium. The Dutch surrendered the lead twice to allow Japan to earn a hard earned point late on.
Netherlands 2-2 Japan
Goals: 1-0 van Dijk 51', 1-1 Nakamura 57', 2-1 Summerville 64', 2-2 Kamada 88'
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F opener at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas brought together two sides with genuine ambitions of progressing from the group. The Netherlands, ranked eighth in the world, were considered favourites against Japan, ranked 18th, but the Samurai Blue had qualified with an impressive record and arrived with several Bundesliga-based players in their ranks.
For the Dutch, Ronald Koeman named a side featuring Bundesliga alumni Micky van de Ven, Ryan Gravenberch and Donyell Malen from the off, while Japan's Hiroki Ito, Ritsu Dōan and Kaishu Sano all started.
A cagey first half
The opening 45 minutes were tightly contested, with the Netherlands enjoying the greater share of possession and pressing forward with intent. Donyell Malen had the game's first clear chance as early as the third minute, turning inside the box and firing a shot that Zion Suzuki pushed over the bar with a fine save.
The Dutch continued to probe, with Malen heading narrowly wide from a Tijjani Reijnders corner in the 34th minute, only for Suzuki to produce another strong stop. Cody Gakpo also scooped an effort over the bar from close range. Japan were not without their moments, with Keito Nakamura volleying narrowly wide in the 43rd minute and Ayase Ueda hitting the side netting in the 45th. The half ended goalless, a fair reflection of a competitive but chance-shy opening period.
Van Dijk breaks the deadlock
The second half burst into life almost immediately. The Netherlands came out with renewed purpose, and in the 51st minute the deadlock was broken. Ryan Gravenberch delivered an exquisite cross from the right flank, and Virgil van Dijk met it at the far post, heading the ball back across goal and into the bottom corner via the inside of the post. It was a first World Cup goal for the Dutch captain, and his fourth in his last twelve international appearances.
Nakamura levels immediately
Japan's response was swift and clinical. Just six minutes after falling behind, Takefusa Kubo laid the ball back to Nakamura on the edge of the area. The forward took two touches infield and then drove a low shot into the bottom-left corner from around 20 metres, leaving Verbruggen with no chance. It was Nakamura's 11th international goal in 26 appearances, and Japan's first shot on target of the match.
Summerville restores the Dutch lead
The Netherlands responded with purpose.Gravenberch found Crysencio Summerville on the right side of the box, and the winger cut inside before bending a precise left-footed finish into the far bottom corner. It was a first international goal for Summerville, who had only made his senior debut during the World Cup warm-up period.
The Dutch then made a triple substitution in the 70th minute, bringing on Memphis Depay for Malen, Teun Koopmeiners for Summerville, and Quinten Timber for Reijnders.
Kamada snatches a late equaliser
Japan refused to give up. Coach Hajime Moriyasu made three changes of his own in the 75th minute, introducing Takehiro Tomiyasu, Yukinari Sugawara and Kōki Ogawa. The Samurai Blue pressed relentlessly in the closing stages, and their persistence was rewarded in the 89th minute.
Junya Ito's out-swinging corner from the right found the head of Ogawa, whose effort deflected off Daichi Kamada and then past Bart Verbruggen into the net. The Dutch were left stunned, and despite six minutes of added time, neither side could find a winner.
